EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 4: First Saturday
Mark 8:31-38 (especially 8:35-38)

     Jesus, we are often full of anxiety about the preservation of our lives, even though we frequently live in foolish, dangerous ways that require energetic or extended acts of compensation:

• eating things that provide no nourishment;*
• spending much time in idle, mind-numbing pursuits;
• anxiously striving to amass more wealth, gain a reputation, or control the world we inhabit;

even though these things provide no enduring satisfaction.*

     Many of us invest significantly in the protection of our transient and corruptible assets (which we mistake for the core of our lives), by purchasing various forms of security. But we do too little to secure our hearts and minds in steadfast relationship to You. We take few risks involved in following You closely, in investing and losing ourselves in the continuation of your mission.+

     We are too fearful and too often embarrassed about our faith in You. And our world is deceitfully enticing, promising more than it can deliver, distracting us from the truth that our identity, our best hope, and all enduring satisfaction and joy are in close, bold, strenuous fidelity to You.^

     Enable us to see clearly and choose wisely. Energize us for courageous faith. Help us to give ourselves away for You, as You have done for us. Amen. 

* See Isaiah 55:2

+ See Isaiah 58:10

^ See Matthew 4:1-11 and parallels

EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 3: First Friday
Mark 8:31-38 (especially 8:34)

For those who expressed a preference, style 2 had 3 votes, style 1, 1. I had already written today's in style 1, so, from tomorrow on, expect style 2. (look at day 2, first Thursday, for an explanation of the two styles).

     We understand denial, Jesus. It seems that we've already been denying ourselves. A lot! We left our homes, families, and work behind. We're frequently surrounded by noisy, demanding crowds that cause our heads to spin, leave us drained of energy, and give no thanks for the generous works You do and that You assign to us. We often have no idea where we'll get our next meal or lay our heads for rest.
     But what do you mean when You say we must carry a cross if we want to follow You? There are no crosses, here, to pick up. Why would we do so anyway? Are You leading an insurrection? We know that's what many people hope for and we often do too. But have we already been found guilty and sentenced to death?
     We don't want to be crucified. We don't want either the unbearable agony and death or the public humiliation which our families will share. We are willing to resist those in power, but quietly, or with some covert action. But let's not push the stakes too high too quickly.
     We're following You right now, but we're keeping our eyes open for an escape route.
   

EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
First Thursday
Mark 8:31-38 (especially 8:32-33)

Reminder: Let me know which, if either, style you find most helpful. Thanks! Dave

Style 1: Imagined as a response from someone in the story to Jesus' words in the text.

     This cannot be! You are talking nonsense! There is no chance that we will let You suffer and die after we have walked with You, every day, for so long. You must not die!
     Satan! You call me Satan? You say I'm thinking in merely human terms and overlooking God's concerns?
     But I've been walking with You daily, taking some risks to follow your instruction. Can't I return the favor to steer You away from danger? Can't I keep the welfare of our little group in mind?
     O, Christ! I don't want to be at odds with You. Don't reject me. Don't send me away. Show me how this makes any sense. I can't see it.
     I want to trust your vision, your leadership, but right now this makes no sense to me.
     Forgive me. Keep me near. At least for now. I'm following without understanding.

Style 2: Again, a response to Jesus' words in the text, but with an effort to bring the spiritual drama out of the past into our present.

     O Jesus, we can hardly imagine the impact your prophecy about your rejection, suffering, and death had on your first followers. In spite of the opposition You had already faced, they were stunned and angry about your words.
     Even now, we aren't always sure that this was the necessary way to fulfill your mission. We wish there could have been another.
     It's unlikely we would have had the gall to rebuke You, though we may have tried quiet methods of persuasion. And we probably would have been crushed, or extremely combative after being called "Satan."
     Who knows if we would have had the courage to follow You farther along the way? We hope we would have. Would we regret our initial choice to follow You? Even now, when spiritual resistance can seem less dangerous, we are sometimes tempted to resign the mission and turn back.
     Keep us close to You.
     Give us greater insight into what You are doing and what keeps You moving forward against the current of rejection. Amen.

ASH WEDNESDAY RESPONSIVE PRAYER (2/26/2020)

L:       God of mercy, we rejoice in your unfailing love. 
P:        We rejoice that You have forgiven us our many sins 
           and given us new hearts. 
L:       We thank You that You have not cast us aside, 
P:        but by the presence of your Spirit have given us a 
           steadfast spirit. 
L:       You have restored our joy. 
P:        Now we will teach others your ways as we sing 
           your praise.
L:       We devote ourselves to You, 
P:        through acts of generosity, prayer and fasting. 
L:       We do not seek the praise of others, 
P:        or put our trust in transient and corruptible wealth. 
L:       We let nothing compete with our loyalty to You, 
P:        but gladly serve as ambassadors of your  
           reconciling love. 
L:       Do not let our character or action be a stumbling 
           block that keeps others from trusting You. 
P:        But let us commend ourselves, for your glory, with 
           godly character and patient endurance, as your 
           Spirit enables us. 
L:       May your power be made known through our weakness, 
P:        and your glory shine through our lives. 
All:     Amen.

Note: multiple efforts to get this post to align properly failed.

EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Mark 8:31-38 (especially 8:31)

I don't always notice feedback, but I'd be interested in your thoughts on which of the two styles you find useful. I wrote 2 prayers (or exchanges) of the first style, then wrote alternatives. Do you prefer style 1 or style 2. I do not anticipate writing 2 prayers a day for the rest of Lent, but could use some input. If you find neither useful, I'd be interested to know that too. It might be most useful to give your feedback after day 2. It just occurred to me that you may not discern a big enough difference to make a choice. Let me know. Thank you. May God bless and keep each of you. Dave

Style 1:

     In the same moment when we grasp who You are, when we are able to identify You as God's Anointed One, You begin to teach us that the way ahead leads to rejection, suffering and death. And You declare that your greatest resistance will come from those we consider most religious.
     We are confounded, angry. How could this be? How can our hopes and those of our people be fulfilled if your destiny is death?
     We've seen so much as we've walked with You, listened to You, and went out to enact your agenda of forgiveness, healing and liberation. So many surprising moments! So much joy and anticipation!
     Now, a moment of clarity has turned to mud. What do we do? Do we walk away? Do we return to our former lives? Do we look for someone else to follow? Tell us!
     Can You somehow relieve the anxiety that is rising within us? Help us understand. Help us to see that everything that lies ahead is not full of bitterness.

Style 2:

     O Jesus, in the same moment when we finally grasp who You are, when we are able to say that You are God's Anointed One, You begin to show us the cost of utter fidelity. You begin to teach us that the way ahead, your way, leads to rejection, suffering, and death. And You declare that your most stubborn resistance and rejection comes at the hands of those who wield the most religious power.
     In our shock, we often miss your final words about life. We are too confounded and angry to understand them. We are bitter that our personal striving and nationalistic hopes will not be fulfilled by You.
     We do not understand. We thought there was clear linkage between You and our national dreams. We thought You were her to reinforce our vision of our own privileged status and superiority.
     We want to believe in You. We want to follow You. But something has to change--perhaps something in us--if we are to comprehend and count the cost of following You. We are tempted to resign as your followers. Show us why we should continue in your way. Amen.

Prayer for February 23-29, 2020
Sermon Text: Matthew 17:1-9  

That we may know the reality of your reign in the core of our being  

Christ Jesus, we long for a glimpse of your dazzling glory, long for a vision of your promised reign that knocks us to our knees in awe. Most of us will not have such a moment, just as most of your first disciples did not observe your transfiguration on the mountain.  

But give us eyes of faith that recognize your glory through scripture, in the world that You have created, in the faces of our faithful sisters and brothers, and in the poor with whom You so thoroughly identify. 

Let us know the reality of your reign in the core of our being. Let us keep silence in the presence of that glory, at least for a while, before we burst forth in praise. Enable us to hear and obey the Voice that identifies You as beloved and pleasing Son and tells us to listen to You.  

Speak to us in fresh ways today. We are listening and ready to obey. Amen.

Prayer for February 16-22, 2020
Sermon Text: Matthew 5:21-37 

That we may be your true ones in every situation  

Living Word, may the heart of all that we are and do be shaped by your presence, instruction and example.  

Enable us to set aside anger, in its many forms, including actual and implied violence that diminishes and harms others. Enable us to set aside our lust for power over others, sexual and otherwise, for the sense of control it gives us. Help us take whatever steps are necessary in order to escape the snare in which these kinds of sin hold us.  

Help us not to treat our most intimate relationships as disposable ones that we may set aside when they become less that fully satisfactory or otherwise inconvenient for us. Help us remember that they are your precious gifts. Enable us to invest ourselves in these relationships with tenacious fidelity. Let us take the lead in being a blessing to the other.  

Help us not to speak in ways that make our motivations seem more holy that they actually are. Help us not to use vows to prop up the truth of our words, but enable us to speak the truth boldly, to say, “Yes,” or “No,” as the situation requires, without hedging our bets with evasive words.  

Enable us to be your true ones in every situation. May we seek your forgiveness and restoration when we fail. Amen.

Prayer for February 9-16, 2020
Sermon Text: Matthew 5:21-37

That we may walk with You and cling to You with unfailing hope

O Christ, enable us to follow You with such faithfulness that our lives add flavor to the life of the world and preserve the goodness that God has created for the sustenance and joy of every creature. 

Light of the World, let us be bearers and reflectors of your light so that others may find their way from confused, tangled places into the glorious radiance of your presence. Enlighten every mind, so that we may walk in truth and in the fullness of blessing that You intend. 

Give us thorough understanding of your instruction, warning and promise. Help us to see, in You, the fulfillment of the whole word of God. 

Enable us to walk with You in joyful obedience and cling to You with unfailing hope. Amen.

Prayer for August 25-31, 2019
Sermon Text: Luke 13:10-17

That we may celebrate with wild praise the many ways You work salvation  

Christ Jesus, we rejoice that You came as Agent of God's reign. We rejoice that You came with the energy and willingness to enact healing as a generous and liberating act.

You created wholeness for those who were treated as less than fully human. You restored many to full participation in community life. You placed great value on those who were considered worthless.

Forgive us for resisting the generosity and compassion that You show toward those who are most vulnerable. Forgive us for giving greater value to our traditions than to the hurting people around us.

Enable us to join in your healing, liberating, reconciling work with generosity and joy. Let us celebrate with wild praise the many ways that You work salvation. Amen.

Prayer for August 18-24, 2019
Sermon Text: Luke 12:49-56

That we will cling to your word even in the face of resistance  

Holy God, our lives are attuned to many things, including: cultural traditions, political movements, current fads, folk wisdom, sports teams, and our fluctuating desires and emotions, among others.

We regret, and repent, that our lives are less attuned to your word and your presence. We fail to see that your word is countercultural, challenging us to live in alternative ways to the exploitative or frivolous ways of our society. We fail to see that following Jesus often sets us in opposition to our families, neighbors, and communities, that being Jesus' disciples is risky business.

Holy One, ignite our lives by the fire of your Spirit. Let our lives blaze like burning bushes that cause others to pause and turn aside to see what You are doing.

Do not let our ardor be an excuse to live with belligerence or to offend others intentionally. But enable us to burn brightly for You, even in the face of many forms of resistance. Amen.

Prayer for February 2-8, 2020
Sermon Text: Matthew 5:1-12

That we will not grasp for blessing as though You are reluctant to bless 

God of many blessings, we rejoice that being blessed is not dependent upon self-sufficiency and pride, on holding abundant wealth, on being free of grief and suffering, or on asserting our will in the struggle for power.

We rejoice, that in your wisdom, blessing commonly attends mercy, generosity and justice, truthful relationships, and the work of reconciliation.

Enable us to be people of humility, mercy, generosity, justice, truth, and forgiveness. Help us not to grasp for blessing as though You were reluctant to bless. Help us not to live grimly, but with abundant thanksgiving and joy.

You have blessed us in more ways than we can count. Let endless praise flow from our hearts and lips. Amen.

Prayer for January 26-February 1, 2020

Sermon Text: Matthew 4:12-23 

That we may hear and follow You without reservation 

Christ Jesus, we rejoice that You were the light for whom many were waiting. You touched people living in darkness. You touched people living in the shadow of death. 

Some recognized you, immediately, as Light of the world and Source of all hope. Others resisted and struggled before recognizing You as the One for whom their hearts had ached. Others, still, sought to deny and defeat You, but would fail to do so in the end. 

Let us be among those who hear and follow without reservation. It is too late for some of us to do so “immediately,” or “at once,” but it is not too late to follow with all our concentration and passion. It is not too late for us to give You everything, as You have given everything on our behalf. 

Enable us to do so now. And enable us to draw others to You. Amen.

Prayer for January 19-25, 2020
Sermon Text: Acts 27:18-28:10

That we may show generous kindness without hesitation and with deep gladness 

God of mercy, we have been met with kindness in so many places and have been shown kindness in so many ways. Our most challenging moments, those in which our lives have seemed shipwrecked and splintered, have often been the ones in which we have most clearly seen your mercy shown to us through the gracious generosity of others.

We rejoice in your goodness. And we rejoice in the goodness that You have inspired.

Enable us—as we remember the many kindnesses that have been shown to us—to practice generous kindness without hesitation and with deep gladness. May others rejoice in You because of the kindness that we show to them. Amen.

NOTE: This prayer was not used in our worship for the week, but was based on the text for our Service of Prayer for Christian Unity that was based on materials from the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute.

Prayer for January 12-18, 2020
Sermon Text: Matthew 3:13-17

That we may walk and learn from You as your disciples 

Jesus, we rejoice that You identified fully with your people. We rejoice that You were not aloof. You did not hold yourself apart or assume that your life was exempt from their troubles and trials.

You entered the waters of repentance as an act of solidarity and obedience. You entered those waters as a way of receiving the new thing, the new way of being human, that God was creating for God’s chosen ones in and through You.

We rejoice in You! We rejoice that God identified You as beloved Son. We rejoice that You have called us to walk with You and learn from You, as your disciples. We rejoice that through You, we, too, are God’s beloved sons and daughters. Amen.

Prayer for January 5-11, 2020
Sermon Text: John 1:10-18

That every aspect of our lives will reflect your grace and truth 

You: Creator, Wisdom, Light, Life – we worship You. We open our hearts and raise our voices in order to pour forth our gratitude and praise.

We rejoice that You have come among us. We rejoice that in You, Living Word, we have encountered grace and truth in their fullest dimensions. We rejoice that we have been enabled to trust You and have been drawn into God’s extended family.

We give thanks for your generosity and praise You for the flow of grace that continuously floods our lives. You have made God known to us and have enabled us to know ourselves and our neighbors by that same revelation. 

Let every aspect of our lives reflect the grace and truth You have revealed to us. O Living and True Word, we praise You! Amen.